Serving the Lord with gladness, according to the dictionary, means to serve Him while showing joy, being brightly cheerful, and having an inner feeling of contentment and gratification. Because the Lord of the universe allows us to actually have a part in building His kingdom, we "raise a glad cry" (Is 44:23). We gratefully tell the Lord: "I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, Most High" (Ps 9:3).
This gladness transcends our circumstances. From his prison, St. Paul tells his coworkers: "Even if my life is to be poured out as a libation over the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad of it and rejoice with all of you. May you be glad on the same score, and rejoice with me!" (Phil 2:17-18)
When we serve the Lord with gladness, others catch on. God especially wants all people to "be glad in the Lord and rejoice" (Ps 32:11; see also Ps 67:5). God promises: "The lowly will hear Me and be glad" (Ps 34:3). Many will tell the Lord: " 'You changed my mourning into dancing; You took off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness' (Ps 30:12). 'You are my Shelter; from distress You will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom You will ring me round' (Ps 32:7). 'When cares abound within me, Your comfort gladdens my soul' (Ps 94:19). 'Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence' (Ps 16:9)."
"Hear the sounds of joy and gladness" (Ps 51:10). "Meet with joy and gladness" (Is 35:10). "Serve the Lord with gladness."
| PRAYER: | Father, I love living for Jesus. "I will rejoice for He has made me glad" (see Ps 92:5). |
| PROMISE: | "You, then, are the body of Christ. Every one of you is a member of it." –1 Cor 12:27 |
| PRAISE: | During St. Cyprian's years as bishop, he faithfully persevered while suffering a persecution, two schisms, and a plague. (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College